He will hold us fast

Today was a heavy day for Ben and me. It’s the first time that conversations of a heart transplant were presented but with the caveat that a lot would have to change for Zeke to qualify.

Although Zeke remained stable overnight today presented a whole host of issues that require major decisions to be made. He has an infection which has contributed to a fever on and off since his procedures Tuesday. His kidneys are not working and as a result he is not peeing and he has retained a significant amount of fluid. With the kidney failure his electrolytes are off balance and he’s unable to rid his body of toxins, contrast used in the cath and ct scans and excess fluid. He has some brain bleed which will need to be monitored heavily as they put him on dialysis which requires anticoagulants to prevent clots developing, but if the brain bleed expands then it becomes a huge risk.

His right ventricle is not working and the team is unsure if it’s damaged beyond its ability to heal. This is problematic because they don’t know what’s caused the damage or why it won’t respond to their interventions. There is also an obstruction detected in the pulmonary artery. They're unsure if it’s a clot or an infection. The team is working hard towards trying to figure out what they can do. They have been candid with us regarding the situation and where Zeke is at from an overall health perspective. Our hearts are heavy and the reality of all that lies before us is overwhelming. But we know that in light of the circumstances and reality before us God is sovereign and in control.

Please join us in lifting Zeke up to the Lord. We are trusting the Lord with all the different issues he is facing. These are the Psalms that we have been crying out to our Heavenly Father as we entrust Zeke’s life to Him.

Psalm 17:1-3,7-8

“Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 18:1-6

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”

Psalm 20:1-9

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.”